The results of the 2026 Northern Hemisphere edition of the NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition are in, and once again Mediterranean producers proved why they remain the global benchmark for premium extra virgin olive oil.
Widely regarded as the world’s most prestigious olive oil quality contest, the NYIOOC evaluates hundreds of entries from dozens of countries every year, recognizing the finest extra virgin olive oils through rigorous blind tastings conducted by expert judges.
This year’s competition highlighted the remarkable strength of producers from Southern Europe, while American olive oil makers continued to gain international recognition.
Top 10 Award-Winning Countries at the 2026 NYIOOC
| Rank | Country | Awards Won |
| 1 | Italy | 166 |
| 2 | Croatia | 128 |
| 3 | Greece | 106 |
| 4 | United States | 95 |
| 5 | Spain | 85 |
| 6 | Portugal | 38 |
| 7 | Turkey | 32 |
| 8 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 16 |
| 9 | France | 12 |
| 10 | Tunisia | 10 |
Italy once again topped the leaderboard with an impressive 166 awards, confirming its position as one of the world’s dominant olive oil powerhouses.
Croatia delivered perhaps the most remarkable performance, collecting 128 awards despite being a much smaller producer than Italy or Spain.
Greece followed closely with 106 awards, while the United States secured an impressive 95 awards, reflecting the growing strength of California’s olive oil industry.
Greece Claims the World’s Top Producer
Although Italy earned the highest number of awards, the title of the world’s top-ranked producer went to Greece.
The Master Miller, a Greek producer, was named the highest-ranked olive oil producer in the world after winning 10 Gold Awards and achieving a perfect consistency score.
The result reinforced Greece’s reputation for producing some of the most highly regarded extra virgin olive oils on the planet.
Why These Results Matter
Winning at the NYIOOC is considered one of the most important achievements in the olive oil industry.
The competition’s winners often become reference points for consumers, chefs, retailers and importers looking for exceptional extra virgin olive oils.
The 2026 results also demonstrate the growing international diversity of premium olive oil production.
While Italy, Spain, Croatia and Greece continue to dominate the awards table, producers from the United States, Portugal, Turkey, Tunisia, Morocco and France are increasingly earning recognition on the global stage.
The Mediterranean Still Reigns Supreme
If one conclusion can be drawn from this year’s competition, it is that the Mediterranean remains the undisputed heartland of world-class olive oil production.
Italy, Spain, Croatia and Greece collectively captured the majority of top honors, showcasing centuries of expertise combined with modern production techniques.
For olive oil enthusiasts, the 2026 NYIOOC results provide a valuable guide to some of the finest extra virgin olive oils currently available anywhere in the world.
Sources:
- NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition – Official Results
- Olive Oil Times World Ranking
- Food & Wine: “This Is the No. 1 Olive Oil in the World, According to the 2026 NYIOOC”
